NFL Weekly Preview Week 8 2024: Key Injuries, Difference Makers & Projected Upsets

Lamar Jackson (Darron Cummings, Google Images)

We are headed into the eighth week of the season. Here are the key injuries, fantasy stars and projected upsets.

Key Injuries

There were several injuries in week seven. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost star wide receivers Chris Godwin of Middletown, Delaware with a dislocated ankle, and Mike Evans of Gavelston, Texas to a hamstring. Godwin is projected to be out for the season, and Evans is expected to be out one month. Speaking of wide receivers, the news in San Francisco is not good either as Brandon Aiyuk is out with a torn ACL and MCL, which he suffered on Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Meanwhile, two NFL quarterbacks have injuries. Cleveland Browns quarterback DeShaun Watson is out for the year with a torn achilles suffered on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals, and Carolina Hurricanes quarterback Andy Dalton won’t play this weekend after injuring his thumb in a car accident. Also away from the field, Denver Broncos wide receiver Josh Reynolds was reportedly shot at a strip club in Denver in the last week, and is expected out for the long term too.

Fantasy Stars

The top rated quarterback this week is Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens. The native of Pompano Beach, Florida is projected to get 221 yards passing, 56 yards rushing and two touchdowns against the Cleveland Browns. The top rated wide receiver is Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings. The native of St. Rose, Louisiana is projected to get six catches for 90 receiving yards and one touchdown Thursday night against the Los Angeles Rams. The top rated running back is Jackson’s teammate Derrick Henry of Yulee, Florida, who is also supposed to rumble against the Browns. Henry is projected to get 100 total yards (92 rushing yards and eight receiving yards) and one touchdown.

Projected Upset

After I was sensational last week in predicting five upsets, I am playing it more safe this week with only one upset. The underdog I like on Sunday is Philadelphia. How the 4-2 Eagles are a two point underdog against the 3-4 Bengals is quite frankly mind boggling.

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